$100m star Andy Reid poached off Bill Belichick has transformed Bears and left Patrick Mahomes helpless

Joe Thuney is a quarterback’s best friend.

The All-Pro guard was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2016 and reached three Super Bowls with Tom Brady, winning two.

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He was the first player ever to start in the biggest game in football back-to-back-to-back to begin a career.

Thuney left for the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 2021 and doubled his ring tally protecting Patrick Mahomes.

That makes him the most successful active player in the NFL — one ahead of Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

The Patriots haven’t won a playoff game since, although Drake Maye looks set to change that soon.

Success has its drawbacks and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid couldn’t keep his roster together after reaching a third consecutive Super Bowl in 2024.

Thuney signed a two-year extension worth $35 million with the Chicago Bears after being swapped for a fourth-round pick to clear cap space and, once again, the team he left doesn’t look quite the same.

Patrick Mahomes admits Chiefs in trouble

Mahomes has played lights out this season, but there is only so much one man can do — even if they’re the best quarterback on the planet.

The Chiefs’ O-line has been a nightmare all season and their talismanic signal caller is often forced to run for his life.

He somehow managed to rack up 261 yards and four scores in a defeat to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.

By his own admission, the Chiefs need to win every game between now and the end of the season to reach the playoffs.

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Unfortunately, the Houston Texans and a fearsome defense that has two players on double digit sacks for the season are up next.

How Reid would love to call upon the man he once thanked Bill Belichick for on the ex-Pats coach’s Let’s Go podcast.

“Bill let me have Joe Thuney so I appreciated that,” Reid said. “That kid, we have him out at left tackle now. Bill, you had him as an All-Pro center, All-Pro guard, now he’s out there at left tackle and he doesn’t say a word about it. He doesn’t complain.

“That’s a whole different world out there. There’s no security blanket when you’re on that side. That’s a tough spot. But he just steps in and goes.”

Chicago Bears eye postseason run

Kansas City’s loss is Caleb Williams‘ gain.

The former No. 1 pick’s rookie season was a forgettable one.

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But since Ben Johnson’s arrival as head coach, the ex-USC star has looked a different player.

Thuney’s role in that success shouldn’t be underestimated — there is a reason he has $100 million in career earnings.

Johnson’s Bears secured an impressive victory over the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday to go 9-3.

There is still work to be done in a competitive AFC North, but Chicago are in pole position and on course for the postseason.

If they do get there, they have a man on the roster who knows more than any current player about what it takes to go all the way.

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